Wildlife photographer Jeffery Teo was quoted as saying the crocodile spotted in Changi Beach Park was likely the same one seen in Pasir Ris. He noted it was not uncommon for crocodiles to be spotted on the north-west side of Singapore, but it was rare for them to be seen in the north-east.

“I think it’s highly unlikely there are two crocodiles … my gut feeling is that it’s probably just one crocodile,” he said, as quoted by Channel News Asia.

“In Kranji, Sungei Buloh, we do see crocodiles regularly, but (the one in) the north-east is a rare sighting, so this particular crocodile is gaining a lot of interest.”

Teo said the reptile seen was also likely an estuarine crocodile that may have come from neighbouring Malaysia.

“(It’s) just exploring, it hasn’t located a place to stay, that’s why you see it moving to different places.”

Depending on the condition of the environment in Changi, Teo said the crocodile could choose to stay put at the beach park.

NParks echoed Teo’s belief that it was likely an estuarine crocodile, a species known to swim back and forth the Straits of Johor.

In its warnings, the board told visitors to stick to designated paths and avoid water edges. In the event of an encounter, visitors were told to remain calm and “back away slowly”. NParks also cautioned visitors from approaching, provoking or feeding the animal.